bedonetoavertthisso-calledfiscalcliff. ed,good to see you. merry christmas to you. >> reporter: merry christmas, kelly. economists have warned that this could lead to another recession if in fact these massive spending cuts and tax hikes kick in at the same time right at the beginning of the new year. what they're trying to do to avert that is scaled back plan that the president suggested late last week that would basically deal with some of the emergency pests of this. extended unemployment benefits for two million people about to be kicked off their benefits a week after christmas the president also wants to extend tax cuts for the middle class. you heard house speaker john boehner say the problem there that will raise tax rates for some. he thinks that will hurt the economy, although over the weekend in sort of a holiday message the speaker suggested maybe they can come together after the holiday. >> of course hope springs eternal and i know we have it in us to come together and do the right thing. we'll continue to work with our colleagues in the congress and the white hous